if someone gave you a WiiU it would be one of those gifts where you smile and say its the thought that counts. Unfortunately that thought is, I dont like you enough to get you what you actually wanted.

I already have a Wii U, but I wouldn't frown on it as a gift. Plus, these "tech sites" are full of douche hipsters anyway, so their opinion is irrelevant. They probably think everything from Apple is the best.

Man if I was given a free Smash Bros entertainment system I'd be cool. It's one of the few prices I'll get one at. Hell that's about a trip to craigslist 2 PS4 games the only 2 X1 game I want and a cheap PS3 game away from my real happiness.

I already have a Wii U and love it. I have a PS4 pre-ordered and at the moment no reason to unbox it, maybe next year when Ground Zeroes is released. This holiday I'll be enjoying Super Mario Bros 3d World with the family. But if I had to add a gaming console to the list for worst gifts the Xbox one would be an easy addition.

@ nabbic read his comment.... he didn't say he doesn't play Nintendo consoles.If you look carefully he is insulting Nintendo's games. If he doesn't like hack n slash,action adventure, platforming,RTS and RPG games i can imagine he only plays bro military shooters.

@Muffins So Mario Galaxy and twighlight princess??!?!

Lol don't defend this guy i'm pretty sure he has a youtube channel and if he is the same guy then he is pretty ignorant, and really stupid.

twilight princess and mario galaxy where on wii not wiiu......even then besides zelda and mario its not enough....if i had to be stuck with one gaming machine it would probably be ps4.I mean the hardware is horrible,the multi platform support is horrible,and even the first party games are lackluster at the moment,Mario kart is the only system seller i see,the new Mario 3d world game looks good but its not huge like Mario galaxy was and brawl can be gotten on my 3DS....i feel like Nintendo is already starting to abandon the wiiu. Nintendo needs to do allot better job because honestly you know and i know their going to get their ass kicked in sales this 4th quarter and next year....im not saying your not a gamer if you play wiiu or theirs not good games on it....its just the competiers it has seem to offer a much better gaming experience

I really doubt that, I have all of the current gen systems, and a Wii U, and my kids really could care less about what I currently have and the upcoming consoles compared to the Wii U. Apparently, how they interact with the games just makes more sense to them on the Wii U, and frankly all of the games they care about are on it. Note, this is just what I observe in my own home, just sayin.

Funny thing is dude bros don't quite understand market diversity, and the very large family demographic. The "hardcore" gamer consoles are great for those without wives or children. Games like BF4 and Skyrim are not very family friendly in the sense that they are very time consuming single player affairs. Once the WiiU get it's software and marketing strategy together they will do just fine. And besides Nintendo doesn't have the other divisions in their company to subsidise them.

who would be dumb enough to complain getting a Wii U as a gift? I'm no fan but for FREE, I'd take it! same as the Xbone too.

@GreenRanger

there's 1 console that deserve to be on this list, OUYA! if you get 1, call the one who give you and ask for the receipt! return it unopened, and save the money for the upcoming Vita TV! I know I would do exactly THAT!

cnet is the worst advertisement firm ever ea is worst company ever apple iphone worst gadget ever...20 different phone in five years...plus..ain't shit free on it like andriod..free apps.. ..i believe someoneLIKE ..MS.. pay some one to runs this ad.or polling....dumb as CNET...

he is right ps4 and xbox 1 are in more of a demand so if you were to go from best to worse demands wise for strictly consoles the wii U would be at the end. I don't think this is at all a comment on if its a good console or not.

I have plenty criticisms aimed at Nintendo. I want new IPs. Is that too hard to ask for? These can be developed along with their classics, but Nintendo fans think that's asking too much and that we should just accept the same software they've been giving us for decades.

That said, if I got a WiiU as a gift. I would try it out at least. I have my PS4s on order already anyway and don't see the harm in it. Certainly beats the crap out of getting a jumper or something.

@bobtheimpaler ...... Microsoft and Sony don't give you the same games every year ?how about call of duty ,gods of war,halo,killzone.forza....the y come out annually and I don't see you complaining about that ...I'm tired of the tire old B.S. excuses and contradictions of these so called "hardcore gamers" just enjoy the games ......to be honest look at the playstation and Microsoft launch titles I don't see a lot of new IPs either ....true gamers play any game on any system ....and don't complain all the damn time

I don't like cod. Apart from cod and halo, none of the games you mentioned are yearly releases. The last killzone came out 2/3 years ago. Same with god of war. Sony do invest in new IPs and are at least willing to experiment and provide new experiences through new IPs like the last of us, and heavy rain. The ps4 is already seeing new IPs at launch and down the line not far from launch.

On the other hand. I keep hearing how a new Mario or Zelda will save the Wii u. Why not a new IP?

I find it funny how you reacted to my previous post the way you did, I didn't mean anything incendiary at all. I'd rather have a Nintendo over an Xbox as at least they offer something different to the other platforms, but clearly something is getting in the way and preventing you to reply rationally. Fanboyism maybe?

Now, can you list as many, or even more similarly rated, new experiences for the 360 or Wii that you enjoyed? Because I can't, most of those good experiences on the other consoles are continuation of IPs.

@bobtheimpaler and Nabbic ...I was talking figuratively....how many of the same IP's was released in the last generation alone..gods of war (7)halos(4),Forza (4)killzone(3) ...nintendo only releases one mario kart ,super smash , and the most two and that's only last generation mario 3d games(2) and Zelda(2) ....@bobtheimpaler sounds like fanism or nintendo hate to me lol...@Nabbic ummm how does zombi u ,wonderful 101,nintendo land,wii fit,wii play,wii sports ,land of us,xenoblade etc if I'm not mistaken aren't they all were new IP's ..so stop with the nintendo doesn't make new IP's ....@bobtheimpaler. I didn't answer your reply with hate or anger I was just disagreeing and pointing out the contradictions of you and others statements... shrugs ...I'm not a nintendo fanboy ..I'm just stating facts ...p.s. I owned all three last generation and this generation I will own alll three I have wii u already ..I'm a gamer

That's some bull straight up as a gamer who's pre ordered both x1 and ps4 I'm actually looking forward to Mario 3d world more then any thing on them and I'm currently playing ghost on wii u and it runs and looks better then Xbox 360 and ps3 ... You gotta love the wii u hate and if you look it up cnet parents company are national amusements who have been doing a lot of business with Sony over the years and funny this comes out the week of the ps4 release .. http://www.bigscreen.com/jo...

He's just a troll. I just ignore him, feel kinda sorry for him that he has nothin better to do than to stalk every Nintendo article. Him and LOL wot are not all there in the head so don't feed into their delusions.

Any gamer would be stoked if they've seen Monoliths new game, Bayanetta 2, SSB, or MK8 footage. Its worth it just for Wind Waker HD and offscreen play on games (especially when they patch in gamepad controls for wii games).

Kids love Sonic, Mario, MK, and Donkey Kong. Plus it has COD for the kids who just want to shoot sh**, Arkham Origins, and AC4 for multiplats. Not really a big system for multiplats but it has enough so kids won't miss out coupled with amazing first party

The system is def nowhere near as awesome as a tricked out rig and the OS is nowhere near as smooth and innovative as the Xbone OS but it has some awesome features and innovative ideas. Off screen gaming rocks and miiverse is a really great social media gaming community. It has hdmi in and tv control also. Its not as flashy or quick as the xbone but hopefully they can improve it over time.

I have a Wii U. It's a huge disappointment. Nintendo is not even bringing a knife to the gunfight, they're coming empty handed. It's like they have lost all inspiration. They are holding on to the past too strongly and have no apparent plan for the future. It is painful to watch the big N go down this way.

I think this is ridiculous. I can think of MANY other things that would be worse to get. And nobody would want to get a Wii U for Christmas? That's why my Boyfriend really wants one. That's why my best friend wants one, that's why various people I know want/have one. But really, this is just as bad as listening to reviewers over games. But hey, whatever, I guess I'll enjoy the games following up Christmas on my 'horrible' console. Because, you know, I guess none of the games got factored into this. Oh wait. Games don't even matter anymore, do they? You know, the supposed point of owning a console?

Tsk, tsk. Whatever, CNET. I only visit your site for the downloads. Couldn't care less about your "journalism". As to how a DVD-player, something that most people now own as an antique, scores higher than a 2012-video game console is beyond me.

But hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

In MY opinion ~ the Wii U is the best console that I've ever played (I've played most of them, Retro and modern.) It's also the second console I've ever owned. I got it last year, while on vacation - and I've been loving it ever since.

The Internet Browser trumps the one on my laptop. The Gamepad is like a beautiful bride to the console - visually stunning, alluring, and amazing. The Online System is a HUGE step-up from what we saw on Wii, and with a little time, it could really take-off (eShop sales have already proven that it's working quite fine). Whoever came up with Miiverse needs a medal, and the Keys to the Internet.

I can go on with this. Point is; I love my console, and I've been having fun. I don't care who likes it, and runs around the Internet shouting: "Greatness awaits!" ~ That's good for you. Enjoy your console. That's what you should do. Wii U, XBOX One, PS4, Ouya(?) - Whatever! Just play the games and have fun! That's what being a "gamer" means.

Calling the U the worst tech is implying that it's a pos or does not work as advertised-neither of which are true, I couldn't care less what Cnet thinks they've always hated on Nintendo anyways..I'll happily play the plethora of great first party software that I have currently and anxiously await the super impressive line up of 2014-seriously if you don't have a Wii U by 2014 you might not be a "gamer" whatever the hell that means..